Utilization of Palm-oil as Substitute for Diesel

Abstract

Research on the possibility of utilizing palm-oil as a substitute for diesel fuel is beign undertaken in Malaysia and other contries. It would not only solve the problem of teh depressed price of palm oil but also eliminate the fossil fuel shortage problem in the future. The Agricultural Engineering Division, Department of Agriculture has undertaken research along this line since 1983. It was found that a mixture of Palm-Oil, diesel fuel and kerosene in the ratio of 60 : 40: 7 by volune gave more or less the same engine performance as the use of diesel fuel in operating general internal combustion engine. It produces same torque and acceleration rate with a slightly less fuel consumption. After 750 hours test with two single cylinder engines at no load and driving differnet machines, the engine were dismented and wear and condition of the main components shows insignificant difference. Tests were also undertaken with the locally designed vechicles called "farm trucks" with a three-cylinder diesel engine, travelling all over the country with a total distance of about 7}000 kilometres no critical problems accured during the journey